Cavs save best for last to beat UNC in overtime

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Virginia was winning the turnover battle but losing the football war. Three North Carolina miscues had been turned into just three points. The Tar Heels had just chewed seven-and-half minutes off the fourth quarter clock, seemingly icing the program's first win here since well before anyone on either team was born.

What happened next, probably only the players in the Virginia offensive huddle could have seen coming. Calm and composed, sophomore quarterback Marc Verica led the first two-minute drill of his career, moving an offense that had shown no previous life 82 yards in 95 seconds to tie the game.

Overtime was almost a formality. Momentum on their side, the Cavaliers buzzed through the Tar Heels' defense to grab a 16-13 win, sending delirious fans streaming onto the turf.

It's a new year and a vastly different Virginia team. But for an evening, anyway, the Cavaliers summoned some of the magic of 2007, when they made their living winning dramatic games like these.

"This is definitely in the top three that I've been in," said linebacker Clint Sintim, a fifth-year senior. "I don't want to put it at No. 1 right now because I'm still kind of high off the win, emotionally."

The win was Virginia's third straight after a 1-3 start, lifting the Cavaliers to 4-3 and 2-1 in the ACC. No. 18 North Carolina fell to 5-2, 1-2 and has to be wondering what it's going to take to get a win in Scott Stadium.

The Tar Heels have not won at Virginia since 1981, a string of 14 games. That they dominated this one on the stat sheet and in the trenches for much of the game doesn't offer much solace.

"Virginia made the plays they needed to win the game," UNC coach Butch Davis said.

Verica made several on the game-tying drive, completing 7 of 8 passes to set up a 2-yard plunge by Cedric Peerman. with 47 seconds left. The quarterback, who took over when previous starter Peter Lalich was dismissed from the team, ran the two-minute drill just the way it's drawn up in practice, coach Al Groh said.

"We talk about being our very best at the end of the game and we certainly were," Groh said.

North Carolina fell back into a prevent defense, trying to guard against long passes and keep throws in front of its defensive backs. Verica was able to find receivers underneath the coverage, hooking up with Maurice Covington for 26 yards, Cary Koch for 16 and Kevin Ogletree for 17.

"To be given that opportunity, to be able to drive 80 yards in two minutes with your team behind was an opportunity I always dreamed about as a kid," Verica said. "It was really an unbelievable win."

More so when you consider freshman kicker Robert Randolph's extra-point attempt was deflected, yet fluttered over the crossbar. Randolph's previous kick, a field goal attempt, was blocked, squandering yet another opportunity created by a UNC turnover.

It was that kind of day for the Virginia offense. But the defense held, limiting the Tar Heels to 10 points in regulation.

North Carolina's final regulation drive used 15 plays but netted just three points. The Tar Heels left the door open just wide enough for Verica and company to take advantage.

After North Carolina opened overtime with a field goal, Verica completed a 19-yard pass to tight end John Phillips to move Virginia to the UNC 4. Peerman took over from there, scoring on another 2-yard run. Presented with a game ball, Peerman gave it to Groh, who three weeks ago was considered by some to be in danger of losing his job.

Groh appeared to get a lump in his throat, and paused for a moment to compose himself when asked about Peerman's gesture.

"It will be something I'll cherish for a long time," he said.

Ed Miller, 757-446-2372,ed.miller@pilotonline.com